Rouzerville’s World War II monument rededicated

Veterans, politicians and local resident gathered in Red Run Park Wednesday evening to rededicate Rouzerville’s World War II memorial only a few days after the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

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By Zach GlennThe Record Herald

Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

By Zach GlennThe Record Herald

Posted Jun. 12, 2014 at 12:00 PM

By Zach GlennThe Record Herald
Posted Jun. 12, 2014 at 12:00 PM

Veterans, politicians and local residents gathered in Red Run Park Wednesday evening to rededicate Rouzerville’s World War II memorial only a few days after the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Part of the project included moving the World War II memorial — consisting of a World War II era cannon and a bronze plaque — from its location between two homes in Rouzerville to the Sept. 11, 2001, memorial at the park. The second part was refurbishing the memorial, which included rebronzing the plaque and replacing the equipment that attaches it to the stone display.

Stewart McCleaf, township supervisor, called the memorial “ a community effort, a family effort and a corporate effort.” According to McCleaf, the project would not have been possible without the effort that was put forth by the community.

Some of the people who spoke at the rededication of the memorial thought of our nation’s promises to its veterans.

“This monument serves to honor these individuals and the promise that their memory never fades away,” said Jeff Geesaman, chairman of the board of supervisors.

David Keller, chairman of the Franklin County commissioners, echoed that sentiment when he said, “It’s been said that any nation that forgets its veterans ceases to be a great nation.”

Other speakers were reminded by the memorial of the sacrifices that veterans had made. Pennsylvania Sen. Richard Alloway II, a Republican who represents Franklin County, said, “It is important for us to understand the horrors of war before we send our soldiers.”

“I am reminded of the quote ‘this nation will remain the land of the free only if it is the home of the brave,’” said Nancy Bull, who represented U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, a Republican whose district includes Franklin County.

Plans are still under way for a blacktopped parking lot to improve accessibility to the memorial and for a scale model of the Twin Towers to go with the Sept. 11, 2001, memorial, according to McCleaf, who has spearheaded both of these projects.